A Book and a Baby Crow!

Hello everyone,
Well, I've been so lucky lately - I'm thinking I should play the lottery! I won two blog giveaways that I really, really love! The first is an ACEO painting from Stacy of MagicLoveCrow. What's really cool about this is that I collect Stacy's "baby crow" paintings, so I was so excited I won! She puts so much detail in her paintings and I find they always make me smile and bring joy to my day when I look at them. Stacy paints all kinds of crows - adults as well as babies :)

 

 

...and look at the adorable card she sent with it! You can see more of Stacy's paintings and cards on her blog HERE and in her Etsy Shop HERE. Thank you, Stacy!!

 

 

  

The second giveaway I won was this beautiful book, "I'll Never Be French" by Mark Greenside from Suzanne of French Heart. The book is even signed by the author! From inside the cover, it reads "When Mark Greenside, a native New Yorker living in California doubting (not-as-trusting-as) Thomas, downwardly mobile, political lefty, writer and lifelong skeptic - is dragged by his girlfriend to a tiny Celtic village in Brittany, at the westernmost edge of France, in Finistere, the "end of the world," his life began to change. In a playful, headlong style, and with enormous affection for the Bretons, Greenside tells how he makes a life for himself in a country where he doesn't speak the language or know how things are done."

 

  

I can't wait to read it! I'll be writing a review after I've read it. Thanks, Suzanne! You can visit Suzanne's blog, French Heart HERE.

 

That's all for now, so until next time,

Cindy

 

 

 



Thank You and a Giveaway!

It's been six months since I posted my first blog entry! I've learned so much along the way and have met so many wonderful people, from all around the world, through blogging. When I first started, my goal was to have 50 followers by the end of the year ~ I now have 155! To say blogging has exceeded my expectations is an understatement. I'm amazed every day by the talented and creative people out there - your words and photographs and artwork inspire me and uplift me day after day. Thank you for every visit, every comment, every email.

I'd like to say a special "thank you" to two people. I thought about starting a blog for a long time before I actually took the plunge. My friend, Suzanne de Cornelia, encouraged me to "just do it!"  I knew absolutely nothing about blogging. Suzanne not only encouraged me, but sent tips and advice on how to begin, and she patiently answered all of my questions. Suzanne is a writer who lives in beautiful Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. Her lovely blog, French Heart, can be found by clicking HERE. Thank you, Suzanne!

Once I began blogging and was still "feeling my way around," I ran across a blog called "Cindy Adkins' Whimsical Musings."  Humm...my name is Cindy Adkins!  When I looked at Cindy's blog and saw her beautiful mixed-media art, and read that she's a writer like me ~ I immediately became a follower of her blog and wrote to tell her of our "same-name" connection. Cindy and I have since become friends and we have so many things in common, we're convinced we're long-lost twins! Cindy has been very generous with her time and advice, and her books, "Blogging - It's a Woman's Thing," and "Blog From the Heart - A Woman's Guide to Blogging," have been extremely helpful to me. For more information on all of Cindy's books and free seminars, click HERE. Thank you, Cindy!

To celebrate and say thank you, I'm having a give-away! You can win this sweet St. Nicholas Square "Holly Jolly" tea-for-one teapot!  

It's decorated with holly leaves and berries and says "Have a cup of cheer."  To enter, just leave a comment on this post. The winner will be chosen at random and announced on Wednesday, December 14th. Feel free to post my give-away button on your blog and thanks so much for visiting!

Until next time,

Cindy

Linking to:
Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage
Tea Cup Thursday at Miss Spenser's Blog

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Potpourri Friday at 2805

Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound
Homemaking Weekend Link-up Party